Mamata attacks centre for embargo on new industries in Haldia

Kolkata, Nov 10 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Friday night attacked the central government for putting an embargo on establishment of industries at Haldia and urged upon businessmen not to give money to any political agents in the state.

Banerjee said despite repeated requests, the United Progressive Alliance government at the centre had not lifted the curb on grounds of environment pollution.

The businessmen in the state have been aggrieved over the embargo, which has been hindering their plans to expand their businesses in the industrial-cum-port town of East Midnapore district.

Banerjee said a small committee was being formed to take up the issue with the central government. RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group chairman Sanjiv Goenka will head the committee.

She also asked industrialists that if they faced any local problems including extortion demands in their ventures, they should let the higher ups in the government know.

“Don’t give money to any political agents, I tell you,” she said at an annual get together with business captains here.

Calling upon industrialists to invest in the state, she said the industrial scenario was good, “despite wrong media publicity against us”.

“Don’t pay any heed to such media propaganda,” she said.

Banerjee iterated that her government was against forcible acquisition of land, and referred to the land bank that her government has constituted for the industry.

IANS 2012-11-10 00:54:05